They ate breakfast in comfortable silence. Gerome sipped one cup of coffee after the other, and Luis ate more than he’d ever eaten before. Starving, he only stopped after he’d eaten four helpings of the breakfast offered at the buffet. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. Even Gerome went back for seconds and came back with a full plate. It was either the fresh air or the fact that he was truly relaxed for the first time in forever, but he could continue to eat without stopping.
Luis watched his mate’s partly hidden face behind the coffee mug. The worry lines were still strong, but he didn’t seem so stressed out anymore. He seemed to be lost in thought as his gaze focused on something outside the window.
The shopping trip he’d suggested didn’t sound bad, but then, staying in bed didn’t sound bad either. He definitely could get used to spending quality time with Gerome, shopping, cuddling, or just hanging out and watching TV. But first, he needed another cup of coffee and a bagel so he’d be ready for the shopping trip.
Two hours later, they were on their way to the shopping mall in the next larger village. Gerome took the tightly winding streets with ease, the strong engine of the Jaguar purring. The drive passed in silence while Luis kept to his own thoughts. They’d taken another big step last night by spending the night in one bed. It seemed like a natural progression in their relationship, and it gave Luis something he’d secretly craved for a while now: the security of being held and cherished. Gerome didn’t seem to be in any hurry to take their relationship to a sexual level, even though Luis wouldn’t mind it much. Perhaps not full-on sex, but he’d really like to explore Gerome’s body, put his tongue and hands on his... He closed his eyes, but that didn’t stop his thoughts.
He wouldn’t mind taking things a step further. But first, they’d shop. He forced his mind back to the here and now. It would have to shut up. Otherwise, trying on new trousers could get interesting. Very interesting.
After a few more minutes’ drive, they arrived at the shopping mall in the village of Bergen. Gerome parked the Jaguar, and they both got out. Luis waited on the sidewalk for Gerome to come around the car. Without missing a beat, Gerome stepped up next to him and took his hand in his, linking their fingers and pulling him forward to the entrance of the expensive-looking clothing store.
Warm air greeted them, and though it wasn’t icy outside, Luis enjoyed the warmth of the store much more. He opened his jacket and looked around. He’d never been in such a luxurious store, and he wasn’t exactly sure what he’d agreed to do here.
But it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. They spent three hours browsing through clothes and spending more money than Luis had ever seen, but he decided not to worry about it and handed over his credit card to pay. Gerome would surely have stopped him if he spent too much.
But Gerome didn’t do anything besides tell him how good he looked as he brought more and more clothes to the changing room. They also shared a couple of hot kisses while in there, leaving Luis with a deep ache in his groin.
After a late lunch in an awesome Greek restaurant, they headed back to the hotel. They’d laughed, they’d joked, and they’d simply had a great time together. And no one breathed down their necks or told them to hurry up. It was heavenly.
At the hotel, a bellhop took the car keys from Gerome to park the Jaguar, and they made their way to their room. Their bags would be delivered within a few minutes.
The moment the door closed, Luis slipped his arms around Gerome’s waist from behind, then reached up to kiss his neck while carefully pressing his groin to Gerome’s ass.
“Fuck, Luis, what are you doing?” Gerome groaned and let his head fall back on Luis’ shoulder. His left hand covered Luis’ while he reached back with the other to press Luis closer.
“I thought we could go back to bed. What do you think?”
“Now? It’s the middle of the afternoon.” Gerome chuckled.
“I don’t care. Honestly. I’d like to try something if you’re up for it?”
Slowly, Gerome turned around and took him in his arms, his lips seeking his mate’s mouth. He walked them backward, to the bed, where he carefully guided Luis down, then followed him. Gerome seemed to agree with his plans.
He didn’t stop to think about the step he’d just taken but allowed Gerome to kiss and touch him. The lust raging through him apparently had taken over, and now he wanted Gerome. As long as his mate was on board as well, nothing could stop them.
A knock rang through the room. The clothes. Damn.
“Wait here a second.” Gerome kissed him, and then, straightening his T-shirt, stood. He came back a couple of minutes later, his eyes meeting Luis’ gaze. Heat pooled in Luis’ groin at Gerome’s expression. It spoke of lust, of want, of trust. His breath stopped for a moment until Gerome stood next to him. He never broke eye contact. He lay down, next to Luis and took him in his arms again.
With a deep sigh, Luis closed his eyes and buried his face in Gerome’s shoulder while he slipped his hands under the man’s T-shirt to touch his bare skin. Gerome’s breath rushed over Luis’ shoulder when Luis found his nipple and lightly scraped his fingernail over it. Who would’ve guessed his man had such sensitive nipples?
Arousal spread through Luis like a wildfire, ramping up a notch when warm hands appeared on his stomach and stroked him. His cock grew hard in his jeans, and lust ran through him. He wanted—needed—to taste Gerome and have his way with him. Breathing in the cologne, which he’d come to associate with being held and cared for, he slowly slipped his hand inside Gerome’s trousers and squeezed his ass cheek. He’d stop immediately if his mate wasn’t okay with it, but Gerome thrust forward, pressing his hard cock against Luis’ hip and pushing his hand into Luis’ trousers as well. Fuck!
“That okay?” Gerome, panting harshly, asked between kisses.
“Yeah, it’s good. I’ll stop you if it’s not okay if you’ll do the same.”
“’Course,” Gerome rasped.
Luis didn’t say anything else as he pulled Gerome into another toe-curling kiss. They could talk later. Gerome’s hands slid inside Luis’ boxers to caress his cock. His fingers had just the right amount of roughness to tease up goose bumps on his stomach. His mate slowly stroked him, giving his cock a couple of squeezes. Luis arched up, the pleasure nearly too much for him, but he really wanted to taste Gerome and put his lips on him and... heavens! Enticing a moan from him, Gerome scraped his fingernail lightly over the sensitive head of Luis’ cock. Fuck! He really needed to stop.
Luis reached into his boxers and carefully pulled Gerome’s hand away. With a few deft movements, he got rid of his T-shirt, jeans, and boxers.
His eyes met his mate’s as he, too, slipped out of the last pieces of his clothing, then joined him, fully naked, before Luis pulled the comforter over them.
Leaving a trail of kisses behind, Luis scooted down along Gerome’s body until he was at his destination: the hard cock standing ready for him. With his hands on Gerome’s hips to steady himself and his partner, he slowly licked over the tip of the hard length, tasting Gerome for the first time.
“Fuck.” Gerome’s voice sounded strangled while fingers wound their way into Luis’ short hair. Without pressing him down, Gerome’s hands told him just how much his mate liked what he was doing. He licked again, and then, without warning, swallowed the whole length.
“FUCK!” Gerome bellowed, his fingers clenching, and his chest rising from the bed. Someone likes getting sucked.
“Slow down. Please, slow down,” he panted, his fingers never relaxing. Luis smiled around the hard shaft in his mouth. To draw this kind of reaction from his partner was heavenly. Ignoring his own throbbing cock, he sucked and licked Gerome’s, remaining careful not to bring him off. He wanted to enjoy his new plaything a bit longer.
Finally, strong fingers tugged on his hair. “Come up here. I want to do you. Otherwise, this will be over way too soon for me.” Gerome’s voice still didn’t sound any better. Did he really have this kind of impact on his mate?
Reluctantly, and with a last, long lick, Luis released the cock in his mouth and crawled upward. Gerome instantly drew him into another hot kiss. Then, pausing only to tease his nipples and navel a bit, he licked his way down to Luis’ waiting erection.
Without any more warning, he sucked Luis deep. Now it was Luis’ turn to groan and grab the sheets. Fuck! Gerome knew what he was doing. He sucked and licked until Luis couldn’t stop the lust in his groin anymore. “I’m going...”
Gerome didn’t stop, and without anything to hold him back, Luis shot into the vampire’s waiting mouth, then collapsed back on the bed.
Heavens... that had been great. Now, he needed a second to catch his breath. Then he’d finish Gerome. The man was lying beside him, panting softly.
“Good?” he asked, their eyes meeting.
“Yes. Give me a sec, and then I’ll help you.”
“No need. I came with you. Seeing and tasting you... let’s just say you don’t have to worry about me.”
“Oh, okay.”
Gerome reached over to the nightstand, took a tissue, lay beside Luis, and took him in his arms again.
Luis cuddled close, breathing in Gerome’s cologne while tracing small circles on his chest. “That was great. Thank you.”
“It was.”
Luis paused. “Do you think the fact that we’re getting along rather well is part of the mating or could it be hormones, or maybe something else?”
“No. In fact, I don’t know any mating in which the partners are really in love. I’ve yet to see one. If there are some out there, they are hiding the nature of their relationship. Being in love isn’t something a coven likes to see. You know, they think it makes them look weak, which is bullshit if you ask me. And if I can change it, I will. It might take years, but I fully intend to show the world there can be partnership and love in a mating.”
“I don’t know what to say to that. Other than it’s horrible you have to spend your life with someone you don’t love, and I’m happy you want to change that.”
“Just stand by my side when it comes to actually changing the world, my love.”
My love. Did Gerome just call him my love? They weren’t... they couldn’t talk about love now. But then, they’d agreed to fight the world they knew. Together. If that didn’t count, what did?
He cast a glance at the man next to him. Love... it didn’t sound wrong. It fit the butterflies in his stomach. The revelation didn’t come with any big insights, but the feeling had built slowly over the last several weeks, and now it only sounded right to whisper, “I love you,” into Gerome’s ear.
“You do?” Gerome shifted around so that he leaned up on one elbow and looked down at Luis.
Well, that was not the answer he’d expected. Maybe he’d been too fast with his words. He closed his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see Gerome’s face.
“Look at me, please,” Gerome softly said while he traced Luis’ cheek with the tips of his fingers.
Slowly, he opened his eyes again and met Gerome’s gaze. “I never expected you could have any feelings other than hate for me. I knew we were headed in the right direction when we started becoming friends and more. But until now, I didn’t dare hope you’d love me. I would’ve been okay if you’d liked me enough to be a friend, but I can’t tell you how much happier it makes me that you return these feelings.” He leaned forward to kiss Luis softly. “I love you as well. So much,” he whispered, then pulled him into another kiss. They didn’t come up for air for quite some time.